Rotary tool for scraping tube interiors



June 3, 1952 c. E. sTuRGls ROTARY TOOL FOR SCRAPING TUBE INTERIORS Filed Sept. 4, 1948 my WII. Vw! l ""nmi' Ill Patented June 3, 1952 ROTARY TGOL FOR SCRAPING TUBE INTERIORS i Charles E. Sturgis, Rochester, vN. Y.

Application September 4, 1948, Serial No. 47,811

3 Claims.

This invention relates to an adjustable and reflllable reamer type cleaning tool.

In applicants prior Patent 2,020,442, granted November 12, 1935 there is disclosed a cleaning tool that is adjustable to clean various sized bores, the interior of bushings as well as slots or oil grooves.

The present invention has for its purpose the production of an improved cleaning tool of such construction that it is sturdy and reliable in operation and can be manufactured at reduced cost over prior devices.

The various features and advantages of the invention will appear from the detailed description and claims when taken with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a view of the improved cleaning tool of the present invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are'longitudinal sections of the tool shown in Fig. 1, illustrating several different adjustments of the tool adapting it` for use in bores of various sizes;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the free end of the stem;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of a thimble to cooperate with the free end of the stem;

Fig. 6 is a transverse view of the tool taken substantially on the line 5-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a side View of one of the coiled cleaning elements of the tool;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of a modied form of one of the coiled cleaning elements; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevation partially in section, illustrating a modined construction for connecting the handle to the sleeve of the tool.

In the drawings, the reference character 5 designates a metal stem in the form of a rod which is tapered to a rounded end 6 at its upper portion (Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4). In spaced relation to the rounded end 6, the stem is provided with a peripheral groove 8 substantially at the junction of the tapered end with the main part of the stein. This groove cooperates in securing a metal retaining thimble 9 on the upper end of the stem. The upper or closed end I0 of the thimble, which is generally rounded and knurled externally, is apertured to receive the upper part of the stem. The thimble is made with an internal annular shoulder I2 of such diameter that it will force a split retaining ring I3 into the annular groove 8 in the stem. The ring I3 While in the groove 8 engages the shoulder I2 to prevent the thimble from being forced off of the rounded end of the stem while the thimble is being staked to the stem, the staking being indicated at the points II.

-- sleeve is externally knurled at 2l The major portion of the thimble is spaced from the stem providing an annular recess to receive the upper ends of a series of cleaning elements I4 each comprising a spirally wound coilv of metal or the like, such as instrument wire. The lower ends of these elements are received within a similar annular space between a second metal thimble I5 and the stem on vwhich the thimble I5 is freely slidable. The closed end of the thimble I5 is cone-shaped at I6 with a knurled surface for a purpose to be described.

The lower end of the stem 5 is threaded at Il so that an internally threaded sleeve I8 can be screwed thereon. The sleeve IS, when screwed on the stem 5, forces the thimble I5 and in turn the lower ends of the elements I4 in the direction of the round end of the stem until their intermediate portions bulge outward to the respective positions illustrated in Figs.' 2 and 3 for use in bores oi various diameters.

It will be understood that the sleeve I8 can be unscrewed on the stem thereby releasing the thimble I5 until the intermediate portions of the elements I4 lie in parallel relation against the stem. Further release of the thimble en- A ables the elements I4 to be removed from the unit for cleaning or replacement. The cone-shaped portion I6 of the thimble I5 with the knurled surface thereon, mates in locking relation with the dished upper surface 20 of the sleeve I8. This (Fig. 1) to facilitate screwing the sleeve I8 on and olf of the threaded lower end of the stem 5.

The unit just described is used with a handle 22 in the form of a shaft which is internally threaded at 23 so thatit can be screwed on the threaded portion Il of the stem 5. It should be pointed out that the handle is screwed on the threaded end of the stem 5, until its upper end (Figs. 2 and 3), telescoped into the recess I8a in the sleeve I8, snugly engages the inner surface of the sleeve. This arrangement provides a rigid connection between the handle and the tool proper. The mating surfaces oi the thimble I5 and the sleeve I8 engage each other so securely, due to the knurling on one of these surfaces, that the thimble is securely retained in a given position of adjustment. Thus the rdiameter of the intermediate portions of the elements I4 will not change substantially when they have once been adjusted.

In Fig. 8, there is illustrated a modified form of cleaning element comprising a coil of instrument wire through which there extends a core 25 of instrument wire or the like. This construction permits the coil to be made of smaller diameter and yet the cleaning element will possess the desired degree of rigidity. The core is slightly longer than the coil.

In certain cleaning tools of smaller size, it has been found desirable to attach the handle 22 to The tool of this invention may be used alone or in combination with a cleaning cloth.' Where a cleaning cloth is utilized, the piece of cloth is provided with a central opening therein of such a sizethat it will just receive the free end 6 of the stem 5. The cloth, while engaging the thimble -U, is wrapped around the unit to which it clingsl even when the tool ism'oved back and forth inv a bore.

What I claim is: 1. In a cleaning tool, a stem having a peripheral groove near one endvthereof and a threadedV portion at its other end, a primary thimble and Ya secondary thimble in spaced relation on said stem and defining therewith annular spaces Y opening toward. each other, a plurality of elongated resilient cleaning elements having their rel spective ends retained in said spaces, the primary Vthimble being located adjacent said groove having an internal shoulder facing toward the adjacent end of said stem, a ring located in said groove and projecting in the path of the shoulder on the primary thimble whereby said thimble is prevented from being forced off of the adjacent end of the stem, said secondary thimble being free to slide and rotate on said stem, and a sleeve threaded on said stem for adjustment thereon into engagement with the secondary thimble, the sleeve and the secondary thimble having mating surfaces at least one of which is roughened to bite into the other surface whereby the secondary thimble and sleeve are locked in adjusted position on the stem.

2. In a cleaning tool, a stem having a peripheral groove near one end thereof and a threaded portion at its other end, a primary thimble and a secondary thimble in spacedrelation on said stem and defining therewith annular spaces opening toward each other, a plurality of elongated resilient cleaning elements having their respective endsV retained in said spaces, the primary thimble being located adjacent said groove f having an internal shoulder facing toward the i the cleaning unit in accordance with the modined construction shown in Fig. 9. In this con-V adjacent end of said stem, a ring located in said groove and projecting in the path of the shoulder on the primary thimble whereby said thimble is prevented from being forced off of the adjacent end cf the stem, said primary thimble being permanently anchored to said stem, said secondary thimble being f ree to slide and rotate on said stem, and a sleeve threaded on said stem for adjustment thereon into engagement with the secondary thimble, the sleeve and the secondary thimble having portions nesting one within the other withmating surfaces thereon at least one of which is knurled whereby the secondary thimble and sleeve are locked in adjusted position on the stem.

3. In a cleaningv tool, a stem having a threaded portion at one end, a primary thimble and a secondary thimble in spaced relation on said stem and defining therewith annular spaces opening toward each other, a plurality of elongated resilient cleaning elements having their respective ends retained insaid spaces, the primary thimble being located adjacent the unthreaded end of said stem, the inner surface of said primary thimble adjacent said stem being staked to said stem, said secondary thimble being free to slide and rotate on said stem, and a sleeve threaded on said stem for adjustment thereon into engagement with the secondary thimble, the sleeve and A ondary thimble and sleeve are locked in adjusted position on the stem.

CHARLES E. sTURc-rs.

REFERENCES cnsn The following references are of record in the file' of this patent:

Greatv Britain Feb. 2, 1933 

